Available online
Description
This film offers a rare glimpse into a wide range of Hindu activities in a North Indian village. It includes rituals performed by different castes; an exorcism sequence; a wedding ritual; a Sattya... Narain puja; a pilgrimage to the Ganges; and a variety of sequences of daily life. It sets out to demonstrate that for a Hindu religion is not confined to rituals but involves every part of life. The film portrays many aspects of caste and the relationship between caste and religion. It contains interviews with, amongst others: a Brahmin landowner; a Chamar exorcist; a wandering sadhu and a Bhar spirit priest. It had been made in collaboration with Joseph Elder from the University of Wisconsin; and Simon Weightman, author of the forthcoming Pelican on Village Hinduism. It's believed to be the first 'in-depth' study of this kind of a Hindu village.
This film offers a rare glimpse into a wide range of Hindu activities in a North Indian village. It includes rituals performed by different castes; an exorcism sequence; a wedding ritual; a Sattya... Narain puja; a pilgrimage to the Ganges; and a variety of sequences of daily life. It sets out to demonstrate that for a Hindu religion is not confined to rituals but involves every part of life. The film portrays many aspects of caste and the relationship between caste and religion. It contains interviews with, amongst others: a Brahmin landowner; a Chamar exorcist; a wandering sadhu and a Bhar spirit priest. It had been made in collaboration with Joseph Elder from the University of Wisconsin; and Simon Weightman, author of the forthcoming Pelican on Village Hinduism. It's believed to be the first 'in-depth' study of this kind of a Hindu village.
| Module code and title: | AD208, Man's religious quest |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AD208; 06A; 1979 |
| First transmission date: | 13-10-1979 |
| Published: | 1979 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:49:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Thompson |
| Contributor: | David Thompson |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Hindu religion; Religious practices |
| Footage description: | The programme opens with shots of a priest praying at dawn in the village of Soyepur. A map shows the position of Benares. The commentary explains the actions of the priest and the significance of ritual in everyday Hindu life. Film of a Brahmin performing ritual bathing and offerings. He explains his actions in interview (translation over). Village scenes. Film of young men wrestling, over which one of them explains the religious nature of the exercise. A Brahmin woman is seen watering a plant and distributing prasad food. The sacred nature of these acts is explained. Shots of shrines to the victims of violent death. Thompson explains how the village spirit must be appeased. In interview villagers give specific instances of such spirits (bhuts). Shots of the haunts of bhuts near the village. Shots of villagers bathing in the pond. An animated diagram is used to show the three caste hamlets that together comprise the village Film of Chamars, or untouchables, at work, over which Thompson explains how the caste system works. The head Brahmin of the village and his wife explain how the Hindu idea of ritual purity affects every aspect of their life. Film of the wife at work in the kitchen. Shots of Brahmin's Chanar servant, who is a village exorcist, at work. The servant describes how he treats his patients. Film of him preparing for and then performing an exorcism on a child, in voice-over. He gives his view of the case. Shots of a Brahmin being shaved, over which Thompson explains the division of work between castes. The head Brahmin takes up this theme. Film of a religious ceremony taking place at the head Brahmin's house and attended by the whole village. Thompson explains details of the ceremony as they occur. Film of villager in field over which Thompson comments on the abundance of ritual in Hindu life. Shots of two Chanar women wailing as a form of greeting. Film of the preparations for a Brahmin wedding. The head Brahmin and his wife are seen making a pilgrimage to a nearby temple on the Ganges. Pilgrims are seen bathing in the river and making offerings at shrines. A variety of activities are seen in the temple itself. Everything is explained in voice over. A village Brahmin is seen at devotions at a local shrine. He explains his actions in voice-over. Film of a priest belonging to the Bhar caste of the village. He explains how he can cast out spirits. Film of him exorcising a demon from a possessed man. The priest gives details of the case in voice over. A sadhu priest is interviewed about his ascetic lifestyle. A wandering Sadhu is seen singing devotional Bhajans as he enters the village. He explains his role in interview. Further songs, which are translated in sub-titles. He is observed singing before the village houses, where he receives alms. He explains the importance of these songs over film of him leaving the village. |
| Master spool number: | OU 3205 |
| Production number: | FOUA043E |
| Videofinder number: | 3596 |
| Available to public: | no |
